HELP!!! Need help buying comp for studio!

[le_plastique]

Hello, I've been looking around and there are a lot of options (Mac with Logic Pro, PC with Protools) and I'm kind of wondering what route to take. I was hoping on getting a PowerMac and settling on Logic Pro but I went to a a Circuit City and saw all these Sony Viao's that just killed the Macs (except for the dual processing) as far as features and prices. So my question is...

For a good studio for recording say... up to 5 or 6 people at once; what computer type, recording program, and mobile interface would you use to get the most bang for your buck? Logic Pro 7 isn't that bad with a student discount and I have a feeling it would cost more if I went with the PC/Protools route since it seems that the Protools software is so expensive.

(I'd want to do a lot of fun stuff like overdubs and use something like a Edirol or M-Audio Evolution Keyboard too!)

 

[bennychico11]

Logic Pro 7 is only a couple hundred less than the 002 Rack (at least without student discount). And with logic you don't get any hardware, as you do with Pro Tools. That's what the money your spending for Pro Tools is going towards...the hardware.

Macs are nice sturdy systems that a lot of professional engineers prefer to PCs. PCs are nice because you can customize them the way you want
to....and they cost less than a Mac.

So what you need to do is add the prices of Mac+Logic (with student discount) and PC+Pro Tools together. I think you'll find that they are similar in costs...so really, what would you be more comfortable working with and what will you work more with; MIDI or Audio.



And don't worry, I'm sure you'll hear about Power Tracks here soon, too.

 

[le_plastique]

Thanks for the reply Benny. I just keep reading about performance issues and I tie myself up in a knot over them. Do you know of any good literature I should check out that dives really thouroughly into the topic?

 

[bennychico11]

well, the great thing about Digidesign and their equipment...if you read their site they give you exactly what you need in a computer for it to run smoothly. They "Digi Certify" certain computers so you don't buy the wrong thing and find it's not working with your new equipment. So read up on their site if you're still interested in the Pro Tools route.

and the way computers are nowadays...pretty much anything you go with is going to be able to handle what you're needing. Just as long as you read up on the requirements for each software/hardware. But as performance goes, you'll find that Mac or PC will both be able to handle processing equally well. It's usually just the minor things that people complain about. Good luck!

 

[manning1]

plastique. i'm a computer engineer with my own studio.
at this point in the technology cycle an amd 64 is THE MACHINE.
for digital audio recording. it beats all others.
one important point being its processing power and the fact that very low audio latencies are being reported.
search under my name for lots of tips. then get back to me further if you have Q's or want a suggested confign. also search in the homerec forum
putting amd 64 in the search, and up will come a number of posts from people using AMD 64 pc and their impressive performance stats. there is none better for track and plug in counts unless you go dual amd opterons which are expensive.
it would be helpfull to know how many seperate tracks you want to record on the pc at the same time. 8 ? 16 ? more ?
thnx.

 

[bennychico11]

plastique. i'm a computer engineer with my own studio.
at this point in the technology cycle an amd 64 is THE MACHINE.
for digital audio recording. it beats all others.
one important point being its processing power and the fact that very low audio latencies are being reported.
search under my name for lots of tips. then get back to me further if you have Q's or want a suggested confign. also search in the homerec forum
putting amd 64 in the search, and up will come a number of posts from people using AMD 64 pc and their impressive performance stats. there is none better for track and plug in counts unless you go dual amd opterons which are expensive.
it would be helpfull to know how many seperate tracks you want to record on the pc at the same time. 8 ? 16 ? more ?
thnx.

i wasn't saying that Macs were the only way to go at all. a lot of people use PCs. I do too. I was just saying I know of a lot of people who prefer the stability of Macs. And I've heard a ton of great things about the 64 too. But for what he's wanting to do (5 or 6 people max) he'd be fine going with a G5, a P4, Athlon XP, or 64. They'd all do what he wants, I'm sure.

 

[le_plastique]

You guys are awesome. I'll make sure to check out all the stuff mentioned. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.com What do you guys recommend for a interface?

 

[manning1]

plastique. on interface. just tell us how many seperate tracks
you wish to record on the pc at one time.8? 4? 12?

 

[le_plastique]

I would like the ability to do at least 5. Drums, 2 guitars, bass, vocals.

 

[manning1]

plast. look at a delta 1010 sound card or another 8 input pci sound card
in a windows pc eg...amd 64 512 ram, 2 fast 7200 rpm hard drives..
youll also need a mixer..eg...yamaha mg are cheap.
by the way - stay away from sony vaio. look nice ...but ive heard of probs.
do you have a windows pc currently ? do you have mics ?

 

[wheelema]

Plastic,

Appreciate that you are about to climb a painful and quite possibly expensive learning curve.

Try to minimize your initial outlays as you will, with time and experience, appreciate more and more where you should be spending your money.

As far as you are concerned, there are only two types of computers: IBM compatible (PC for short) and Macintosh. If it doesn't have the Apple logo it is a PC. For example, the Sony Vaio does NOT have a Apple logo.

PCs fall into two broad processor camps. Intel and AMD. For reasons having mostly to do with cost and overkill, I recommend the AMD XP processors.

In my opinion, given the knowledge you have shown so far, you should find a local computer shop that would build a PC to your specifications and support it down the road. The minimum specs (based on gear that is currently available) would be:

• AMD based ASUS motherboard w/1384 (Firewire) onboard
• Retailed AMD XP processor at 2700+ or above
• 512MB of RAM
• Western Digital 80GB 7,200 RPM PATA (or SATA) drive (for apps)
• Western Digital 73GB 10,000 RPM SATA drive (for recording)
• A dual head GeForce display adapter (stay away for the latest and greatest for reasons of $$$)
• A DVD-RW drive
• Windows XP Professional

This should not cost more than $1K.

The audio interface is largely dependent on your requirements. Most max out at 10 inputs, 10 outputs, many can be 'daisy chained'. A few that come to mind are the RME Fireface, Layla 3G, Aardvark Q10, M-Audio 1010, and M-Audio 1010LT.

Do not undervalue monitors. The Wharfdales are the current value monitors du jour.

Microphones and Preamps are religious topics. I suggest that you do not, however, go cheap. The Studio Projects B1 at $100 should be the floor. The M-Audio DMP-3 at $150 should be the floor for preamps.

You will need EQ, and compressors. Budget for them. If you are going to have a dedicated space to record, budget to improve it.

Enjoy the pain. Luck.

Manning1,

Dude, you've got to start formatting your responses.... all that good advice, and so tough to read!

 

[DigitalSmigital]

Har!

Now we need a Forum on how to give advice!

But that was brutally honest. Wheelma hit it on the head; $5K and alot of sweat and tears will get you started.

 

[sonusman]

wheelema, great post! I mostly agree with it. The "should cost no more than $1k" should be "should cost no more than about $500"! I put together pretty much the same DAW you described for $425 in parts.

And I TOTALLY agree with your last statement. manning1 somehow thinks people should have to work hard to read his info?

 

[le_plastique]

The reason I asked this forum, is because I, and I admit rather ashamedly, jumped the gun and ordered a G5 with 512 Ram, 180 Gigs, Gigabit Ether, dual 1.8s... then I went to a Circuit City and saw how prices have gotten better on PC's and I went as you can imagine, "Ah shit..." Then I started learning about things like Cubase and Protools and started to get a little worried. Basically, it seems to me that Apple's aren't the most bang for their buck. My orignal plan was to get a M-Audio Mobile interface, a few mics, and a student discount version of Logic Pro. I know Protools would be out of the option since it is so expensive, but Cubase could be just as good as Logic Pro for all I know. I wish there was a place where you could get better information. Every site I've seen seems to have to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[manning1]

sonusman. i never was a great typist. used to have a secty for it.
some people always find SOMETHING to criticise.

 

[le_plastique]

I just read Apple's return policy. I think I'm screwed. I'm guessing if you alter any of the specs from the model you choose it's considered a custom job. Ouch.

 

[le_plastique]

My budget was around 3,000. Hopefully I didn't screw myself with Apple. It's looking that way though.